Tyrone Tootoosis, a well-known First Nations advocate, has passed away.
Tootoosis, 58, died Sunday morning.
“Tyrone left us early this morning, riding a comet during the full moon snow,” states a post on his Facebook page.
Tootoosis was a recognized leader in the province, who spent years sharing his culture with others.
He was also an artist and an actor. He was the voice of Uncle Peter and Mr. Thunderbird on Wapos Bay: The Series and played Chief Poundmaker, his great-great-granduncle in the TV mini-series Big Bear.
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Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron called Tootoosis a legend and an “absolutely dedicated” role model during a news conference Monday.
“I’m going to miss visiting the fella. Sometimes we wouldn’t talk. You didn’t have to talk,” Cameron said.
“Just being in the presence and feeling good inside that you were sitting beside an individual who just calmed you just by being in the room.”
Tootoosis also played a role in establishing the FSIN’s powwows and Wanuskewin Heritage Park.
A service has been scheduled for Wednesday morning at Poundmaker First Nation Veterans Hall.
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